Aboriginal Heritage Walk: Spirit ~ Connection ~ Land
	When:	Every Thursday and the first Sunday in June, July and August. 11am - 12.30pm
	Where:	Meet at the Visitor Centre, Observatory Gate.
	Cost:	$20 adults, $17 concession, $9 child (aged 6-17 years), $50 family (2 adults and up to 3 children).
	Bookings & enquiries:	Tel: (03) 9252 2429. Bookings required. Group bookings can be made by special arrangement.
The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne rest on a traditional camping and meeting place for the local custodians of the area - the Boonerwrung and Woiwurrung people. The Aboriginal Heritage Walk is a rich and vibrant cultural experience. Share in the wealth of local plant lore and see the land through the eyes of your Aboriginal guide. return to top

Winter Discovery Walk
	When:	Tuesday to Sunday in winter. 11am and 2pm
	Where:	Meet at the Visitor Centre, Observatory Gate.
	Cost:	FREE
	Bookings & enquiries:	Tel: (03) 9252 2429. Bookings not required. Group bookings can be made by special arrangement and fees will apply.
Warm up this winter on a fascinating walk with one of our friendly guides. Discover the history, cultural significance and stunning beauty of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. return to top

Tropical Hothouse
	When:	Every day 10am - 4pm
	Where:	Glasshouses located near E Gate
	Cost:	FREE
	Bookings & enquiries:	Tel: (03) 9252 2429. Bookings not required.
Escape winter and retreat to the warm, humid tropics inside the Tropical Hothouse. Experience the feeling of walking through dense vegetation and discover the weird and wonderful plants of the tropical rainforests. Take a step back in time and be astonished by early plant life, which has evolved from before dinosaurs roamed the Earth. return to top

Chocolate and spice walk
	When:	14, 19, & 28 June 3, 12 & 24 July 10am - 12 noon
	Where:	Meet at the Visitor Centre, Observatory Gate.
	Cost:	$19 adult, $17 concession (Price includes a hot chocolate at The Terrace and samples of Haigh's Chocolates)
	Bookings & enquiries:	Tel: (03) 9252 2429. Bookings required. Group bookings can be made by special arrangement.
Experience the amazing plants within the Gardens that are used for food on this delectable walk discovering the essence of all things chocolate. Spice up your senses with stories and recipes of cinnamon, cardamom and the intoxicating vanilla bean. This aromatic adventure ends with a delicious hot chocolate at The Terrace and sampling of gourmet chocolate from Haigh's Chocolates. RBG Melbourne thanks Haigh's Chocolates for their kind support. return to top

Tea and camellias walk
	When:	2, 7, 16, 21 & 30 August 10am - 12 noon
	Where:	Meet at the Visitor Centre, Observatory Gate.
	Cost:	$19 adults, $17 concession (Price includes a cup of tea at The Terrace)
	Bookings & enquiries:	Tel: (03) 9252 2429. Bookings required. Group bookings can be made by special arrangement.
Did you know that the leaves at the bottom of your tea cup come from a camellia? Join us on this warming winter journey through the stunning camellia collection and wider Gardens. Your Guide will unlock the secrets of tea leaves as you discover historic cultivars, hybrids and lesser-known camellia species. Finish with a warming cup of tea at The Terrace. return to top

Beyond the garden gate off-site presentation
	When:	By arrangement
	Where:	By arrangement
	Cost:	$50 per group. Aged Care facilities receive a concession rate: $25 per group.
	Bookings & enquiries:	Tel: (03) 9252 2429. Bookings essential.
Invite an expert Voluntary Guide from the Royal Botanic Gardens to visit your venue and take you on a virtual journey down the Gardens' paths! This engaging presentation will inspire home gardeners and anyone interested in the past and present of Melbourne's favorite public garden. return to top

Pumpkin Soup The Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden
	When:	17, 18, 24 & 25 June 11am - 12.15pm
	Where:	Meet at the Visitor Centre, Observatory Gate.
	Cost:	$15 child, $5 adult
	Bookings & enquiries:	Tel: (03) 9252 2429. Bookings essential.
What happens when a cat, a squirrel and a duck make soup? Find out in the enchanting story of Pumpkin Soup. Follow the trail where Duck might have gone and then help plant a winter vegetable soup garden. Finally, warm up with a delicious cup of hot pumpkin soup and a bread roll. You'll take home your own vegetable to grow in your garden at home. This program is suitable for children aged 3 - 5 years. Adult participation is required. return to to

School Holiday Program: The Music Tree The Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden
	When:	30 June; 2, 7, 9 July 10.30am - 12 noon
	Where:	Meet at the Visitor Centre, Observatory Gate.
	Cost:	$12 per child
	Bookings & enquiries:	Tel: (03) 9252 2429. Bookings essential.
Find the beat of the Rhythm Band song before hearing the intriguing story of The Music Tree. Make some of your own garden music before creating a magical-musical-garden mobile to take home. This program is suitable for children aged 4 - 8 years. Adult participation is required. return to to

Winter Closure The Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden
	When:	From 13 July - 9 September
	Enquiries:	Tel: (03) 9252 2429.
The Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden will close for two months at the start of the third school term (Victorian State Schools) for rest and maintenance. This year it will close on Monday 13 July and re-open at 10am on Wednesday 9 September. return to top

NAIDOC Celebrations
	When:	8 July 1 - 3pm
	Where:	Meet at the Visitor Centre, Observatory Gate.
	Cost:	FREE!
	Bookings & enquiries:	Tel: (03) 9252 2429. Bookings essential for catering purposes.
Join us in celebrating National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) with Indigenous music, song, dance and food. Be welcomed to the lands of the Boonerwurrung and Woiwurrung people at a traditional Wominjika (welcome) ceremony. Bring the whole family and enjoy gum-leaf music, didgeridoo playing and hear from guest speakers from the Aboriginal community. return to top

Saturn returns Melbourne Observatory
	When:	Every Monday evening in winter (except Monday 8 June) 7.30 - 9pm
	Where:	Meet at the Melbourne Observatory, near Observatory Gate.
	Cost:	$18 adults, $14 concession, $50 family (includes 2 adults and up to 3 children)
	Bookings & enquiries:	Tel: (03) 9252 2429. Bookings required. Group bookings can be made by special arrangement.
Saturn is at its spectacular best this winter, when this showpiece of the cosmos dazzles star-gazers. Let our expert astronomical guides help you discover more about the amazing array of stars and planets that light up the southern night sky. return to top

Lunar tours Melbourne Observatory
	When:	Thursday 4 June, 2 July and 27 August 8 - 9pm
	Where:	Meet at the Melbourne Observatory, near Observatory Gate.
	Cost:	$14 adult, $10 concession, $40 family (includes 2 adults and up to 3 children)
	Bookings & enquiries:	Tel: (03) 9252 2429. Bookings required. Group bookings can be made by special arrangement.
Be enchanted by the mystical Moon with our expert astronomical guides at the Melbourne Observatory. The 'first quarter' is an ideal time to explore the Moon's surface, which is studded with craters and strewn with rocks and dust. Discover lots of amazing facts about the Earth's only natural satellite and why the Moon can appear to wobble! return to top

Bright side of the Moon Melbourne Observatory
	When:	28, 29 & 30 July 7 - 9pm
	Where:	Meet at the Melbourne Observatory, near Observatory Gate.
	Cost:	FREE!
	Bookings & enquiries:	Tel: (03) 9252 2429. Bookings not required.
To celebrate the International Year of Astronomy 2009 the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, in partnership with the Astronomical Society of Victoria, will be conducting free viewing sessions of the bright side of the Moon. Knowledgeable Guides will give an introduction to Astronomy using their own telescopes and later conduct short tours of the historic Melbourne Observatory. This free family event will run over three nights to commemorate the first observation of the Moon through a telescope in 1609 by English man Thomas Harriett - beating Galileo in time but not in fame! A landmark event not to be missed. return to top

Gardens of Paradise Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne Inc.
	When:	24 June 6pm for a 6.30pm start
	Where:	Mueller Hall, National Herbarium of Victoria
	Cost:	$15 Friends' members, $25 non-members
	Bookings & enquiries:	Tel: (03) 9650 6398. Bookings essential.
An illustrated talk by Warwick Forge on the gardens of two great South American landscape designers: Juan Grimm and Roberto Burle Marx. Warwick Forge is a publisher of garden books and Director of the forth-coming Australian Landscape Conference. He will be introduced by Peter Watts, former Director of the Historic Houses Trust. return to top

Winter talking plants morning: Cymbidium Orchids Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne Inc.
	When:	9 July 10am
	Where:	Domain House, Dallas Brooks Drive, South Yarra
	Cost:	$10 Friends' members, $15 non-members
	Bookings & enquiries:	Tel: (03) 9650 6398. Bookings essential.
A knowledgeable member of the Cymbidium Orchid Society of Victoria will discuss the morning's topic, show some beautiful examples of orchid blooms and give hints on cultivation. All attendees are invited to bring some of their favourite orchids to show and share at this informal gathering of people with a common interest in plants and gardening. return to top

Gardens of Japan Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne Inc.
	When:	14 July 6pm for a 6.30pm start
	Where:	Mueller Hall, National Herbarium of Victoria
	Cost:	$15 Friends' members, $25 non-members
	Bookings & enquiries:	Tel: (03) 9650 6398. Bookings essential.
Join the Friends for an illustrated talk by John Patrick, a Melbourne landscape architect who is well known as a presenter on ABC Television's Gardening Australia program. John will relive his recent tour of Japanese gardens during cherry blossom season, which included the four cities of Kyoto, Nara, Kanazawa and Tokyo; offering contrasting views of Japanese culture and history. return to top

School holiday program: Cards for Kids Plant Craft Cottage
	When:	7 - 9 July (inclusive) 10.30am - 2pm
	Where:	Plant Craft Cottage, near H-gate.
	Cost:	$10 per child, $5 per additional child
	Bookings & enquiries:	Tel: Rosemary Chamberlin (03) 9809 2509 or Leonie Foster (03) 9818 3318. Bookings are essential.
Join the art and craft experts at Plant Craft Cottage for this three-day activity. Children will make their own unique cards to take home for birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day... any occasion, really! This activity runs over three days and is recommended for children aged six years and above. return to top

Plant card workshop Plant Craft Cottage
	When:	15 August 10am - 2.30pm
	Where:	Plant Craft Cottage, near H-gate.
	Cost:	$40 adult
	Bookings & enquiries:	Tel: Rosemary Chamberlin (03) 9809 2509 or Leonie Foster (03) 9818 3318. Bookings are essential.
Share our knowledge and experience on which flowers and foliage to press and how to press them for long-lasting results. Create and take home a variety of beautiful hand-made greeting cards, bookmarks and gift wrap. return to top

Craft Demonstration Days Plant Craft Cottage
	When:	Tuesdays in winter except 7 July Program details below 10.30am - 2pm
	Where:	Plant Craft Cottage, near H-gate.
	Cost:	FREE
	Bookings & enquiries:	Bookings not required.
Come along and see members of the Craft Groups demonstrate their work. Visitors are welcome to watch and ask questions of any member of the Craft Groups. However, visitors are not permitted to take part in any demonstrations. Please note: The Garden demonstrations are between 10.30am - 12 noon. 2 June: Pot Pourri 9 June: Fibre 16 June: Basketry 23 June: Garden 30 June: C'part Craft 14 July: Fibre 21 July: Natural Dye 28 July: Garden 4 August: Paper making 11 August: Fibre 18 August: Plant Card 25 August: Garden return to top

Sunday Open Days Plant Craft Cottage
	When:	21 June 19 July 16 August 10am - 3pm
	Where:	Plant Craft Cottage, near H-gate.
	Cost:	FREE
	Bookings & enquiries:	Bookings not required.
A wonderful opportunity to discover Plant Craft Cottage, the oldest building in public gardens in Victoria. This heritage-listed building is open to the public on the third Sunday of the month. On display will be some of the wonderful hand-made items created by the volunteers at Plant Craft Cottage, with some craft goods available to purchase. return to top

The Gardens Shop Observatory Gate & Lakeside
	When:	Monday to Sunday 9.30am - 5pm
	Where:	Observatory Gate Precinct RBG Melbourne (Birdwood Ave, South Yarra) Lakeside opposite the Ornamental Lake, RBG Melbourne (enter via A or B gates, Anderson Street)
	Cost:	Various
	Bookings & enquiries:	The Gardens Shop RBG Melbourne Tel: (03) 9252 2341
The Gardens Shop is the perfect place for all things botanica. Choose from a wide selection of botanical and eco-themed home and lifestyle merchandise. The Gardens Shop offers a range of Royal Botanic Gardens branded merchandise including greeting cards, chutneys, jams and sauces, Maxwell and Williams tableware and exclusive Royal Botanic Gardens clothing. Warm up for winter with some delicious treats from the Gardens Produce range including chutney, conserves and pasta sauces. See out winter in style with our range of beautiful lamb's wool scarves, handcrafted fashion wraps and gorgeous floral-printed umbrellas. The Artists-in-Residence winter program showcases the best in local artworks with visits from local artists including Janet Flinn, David Reynolds and Sandra Sanger. For details visit www.thegardensshop.com.au. return to top

Disclaimer: Please note that while the producers of What’s On take care to be accurate, no liability will be accepted under any circumstances whatsoever should the dates, times, telephone contacts, prices or any other description in this publication be found to be inaccurate; this guide should be used solely on this understanding.

What's On ~ Winter 2009

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

Winter 2009

What's on all year

Aboriginal Heritage Walk: Spirit ~ Connection ~ Land

Winter Discovery Walk

Tropical Hothouse

Chocolate and spice walk

Tea and camellias walk

Beyond the garden gate

Pumpkin Soup

School Holiday Program: The Music Tree

Winter Closure

NAIDOC Celebrations

Saturn returns

Lunar tours

Bright side of the Moon

Gardens of Paradise

Winter talking plants morning: Cymbidium Orchids

Gardens of Japan

School holiday program: Cards for Kids

Plant card workshop

Craft Demonstration Days

Sunday Open Days

The Gardens Shop